We've got the kickinest balls of them all Hope everyone has enjoyed their long weekend! Mine kinda went awry, but worked out okay regardless...but that's neither here nor there. What's imporant is that kickball will ride again tonight! And it looks like we'll have a few new players. In fact, Young Dennis Amos just called to find out about appropriate attire so I thought I'd let you all in on it: as mentioned before, proper footwear with at least some kind of traction is pretty useful so that you don't slip and fall, or worse. Beyond that, it's not a highly involved game so wear whatever's comfortable--but that you don't mind maybe getting dirty. And you'll likely be sweating a bit too so bear that in mind if you're worried about "keeping up appearances".

See you all tonight at 8...I doubt the T-ball kids will be there tonight so maybe we can get an early start!

postponed to Wednesday What with an 80% chance of rain tonight, we're postponing Monday Night Kickball to Wednesday night. Stupid weather...we just HAD to start kickball during the rainiest summer ever, didn't we?

So normally Michelle is the keeper of the livejournal but today I've hijacked it--and plan to use this forum to express my extreme right-wing views! Okay, not really. But seeing as I've now extended the kickball invitation to the masses via 20hz, I figure this might be a good time to review "the basics", as it were.

NUMBERS

We've established that the ideal team size is roughly 6-8 people...at least as long as we're playing on the T-ball diamond. If we move to the bigger field, it'd probably be fine to accomodate a few more. But there's also nothing to say we can't have a few people on the bench for an inning and let people take turns in the field and at bat. We'll probably get quite a few more people next week so we're going to pick up another ball and maybe get two games going at once if the numbers dictate it.

A FEW RULES

Everyone seems to have the rules down by now--basically, it's like baseball, only you kick a goofy-looking oversize ball. You can also get runners out by hitting them with the ball while they run between bases. There are, however, a few particulars worth pointing out:

a) no leading off the basesb) no blocking runners (aka 'zone defence')c) kicking the ball in from the outfield is permitted--however, in order to get a runner out, the ball must be thrownd) no throwing the ball at someone's head or groine) maximum 10 runs scored per inning, except for the final inningf) the pitcher cannot bounce the ball into the batter

I know we've maintained the whole time that this game requires no skill, but over the last few weeks we've figured out a few things and I figure we'll pass them on.

a) booting the ball high in the air looks cool and feels good, but odds are it'll get caught and you'll be out. keeping it relatively low to the ground means a better chance of getting on base.

b) outfielders take note--it's easier to get the ball back into play by kicking it than throwing it from way the hell out there

c) actually hitting someone with the ball is actually kinda tough--nevertheless, it's easier to get people out once they got on base than by catching it. (not really a tip, more of an observation.)

MORE THOUGHTS

In a short time, Monday Night Kickball has become one of my favourite parts of the week...and by the looks of things, I'm not the only person who thinks it's big-time fun! I'd like to see this get even bigger (as I'm sure you've heard me declare at the post-game soirees) but I also don't want it to lose the friendliness it's got right now. Right now, though, we're mainly just trying to work out all the kinks, such as the availability of diamonds, number of players, and whether Monday/Wednesday nights are really the best time. I know the Brooklyn league plays Sunday afternoons, which I find kind of appealing but MIchelle has pointed out that lots of hipster kickball-types work on Sundays. Anyway, we'd love all the input we can get, so let either of us know your thoughts/suggestions/complaints. KICKBALL FOREVER!

ooooooh wednesday! It was a great kickball event tonite! We played our first real game ever! The Cobras vs the Pirates! Argh! It was off to a rough start for the Pirates as the cobras hit 10 runs in the first inning! However, the pirates almost made a comeback in the final inning! they were behind by 7 runs, the cobras had first bat. then oh my! they got three outs in a row! Thanks to Alex who made a double-play! Then the pirates went up for their final turn at bat but were held off by the fierce Cobras for a final score of 16-13! It was a good show and everyone retired to the 12:30 for cheap beer.

All in all it has been decided that kickball is FUN!

Next game: MOnday at 8:30pm. meet at the t-ball field in Bickford park (that is still the park at grace and harbord).

Andrew and I are starting an indie kickball league in Toronto to rival the thriving hipster league in Brooklyn! Come out and play!

Monday, June 21st at Christie Park (the one at harbord).

Where: the corner of the park at Harbord and Grace. Look for the people with the big kickball!

When: 8pm

What:I am a game with almost all the same rules as baseball, but is endearingly silly instead of jaw-droppingly boring like that game. Send me a message and come play! Who I Want to Meet: I want to meet friendly folks who want to play sports without the threat of needing motor skills, getting tired or losing badly.